Page 12 of Praying for Thunder

He admired it again. “And he starts from the bottom.”

“Pardon?”

He pointed. “He was working his way up my legs. Most of us start from the eyes, or head, and build around our focal point. My dude started from the wheels of my stool. Wild.”

This man was melting Anita’s heart. “Well, you’re not his only fan.”

He smiled. “Back to the marvelous strippers?”

I explained, “They love my drawings.”

He tapped my leg. “Me too, my dude.”

“Really?” I jumped up and threw my arms around his neck.

Dio reached his arms to hug me back but caught himself. He asked Anita, “May I?”

The only men to hold me were employees at the club. Could she step out of her comfort zone? Trust someone with who she cherished most?

The answer was in my reaction to him. I never tried to hug strangers. I was mighty pleasant to them, but a full embrace? Nope!

Exhaling wonder, she said, “Yes, of course.”

As he squeezed me, she studied the walls of all the drawings. “You love kids, don’t you?”

It wasn’t a true question. More like a strong assumption, but he still answered, “Yeah, I think they’re brilliant and we should listen to them more.”

She peered at me adoringly. “I happen to agree.”

He chuckled. “Uh, my dude ain’t letting go.”

Anita covered her mouth, not quite sure what to say.

I was suddenly scooped up. “Hey, kid.”

Him not grunting when he lifted me had me noticing… “You’re stronger than my Ani.”

“Aunt,” Ani quickly added. “I’m his aunt.”

Without true judgment, his eyes squinted down at her. “Uh-huh. That’s okay. You’ll eventually cave to my charm.” He then told me, “I’m Diablo.”

Perched on his thick arm, I tried, “Dee-ah-blah…O.”

He chortled. “Uh, almost.”

“Dee-ah blah—” I blew out a frustrated breath. “Dee-o?”

His smile grew. “Works for me.”

Carrying me into the lobby, he asked Anita, “Is he allowed lollypops?”

“Rrr-rrr?” Holding his shoulder, my Scooby Doo head reared back, astonished my day kept getting better and better.

She giggled, replying, “Only one, Little Guy.”

“Little Guy?” he teased me. “I’ve been calling you, My Dude!”

“That’s okay.” I squeezed his neck again.